Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
April 17, 2018

20 young professionals spent their Saturday afternoon learning some of the key essentials to owning and maintaining a car to ensure it is in top condition whilst traversing on public roads.

Rotaract Director Jamelle Layne told Barbados TODAY that “the event was geared towards empowering and developing the young professional whilst also promoting road safety”, which he describes as a major concern. With the Crop Over Season fast approaching, Rotaract is encouraging young people to drive responsibly.

“We want our young people between 18-30, to be well equipped with the knowledge needed in case of emergencies; we want to ensure that they have basic auto-mechanic skills, so when they are returning home in the wee hours of the morning and they get a flat tyre, they know how to change it,” he said.

Though he lauded insurance companies like CGI who was on hand and currently provides free roadside assistance, he stressed that it was still a good skill to have, as flat tyres can occur at very inconvenient times.

“This is a critical skill in this environment; even something as simple as your tyre pressure can make the difference in whether you can absorb a pothole or if you will blow out,” Layne said.

He added that the right tyre pressure also ensures a smoother ride and helps prevent unfortunate accidents.

The young professionals got a detailed presentation from Jamal Brathwaite, Automotive Art’s brand development manager, on key essentials they should have in their cars at all times, basic motor oil checks, tyre pressure checks, tyre changes, warning signs and methodology for washing a vehicle.

Brathwaite encouraged the millennials to think of their vehicles as investments,

“Using the right products on your vehicle when cleaning as well as the correct methodology can help maintain your car and ensure that it is at its highest value when you are ready to sell. It makes a difference,” he stressed.